Speculation that the first Sinn Fein Lord Mayor of Belfast would be elected tonight has receded, although a vote to be taken by Belfast City Council is expected to be close.
According to sources, the republican party is unlikely to get the votes it needs to secure the position.
Recent press speculation that some unionists may not attend the annual meeting or will abstain, allowing a republican to represent Belfast as its first citizen for the first time, has been dismissed by council sources.
The Ulster Unionists, Progressive Unionists, independent unionists and one former Alliance councillor have already declared they are opposed to Sinn Fein taking the position. At the moment this would mean 26 votes for a unionist candidate, while Sinn Fein's candidate would get 25.
However, a UUP councillor said the election would "go down to who turns up". Mr Jim Rodgers, who will support the DUP's candidate, said: "The vote will be close and it will depend on who turns up on the night."
The current Lord Mayor, Mr Bob Stoker, holds the casting vote and has already indicated he would be in favour of retaining his position for another year, although some in his party are known to be opposed to this. He has confirmed he will not support a Sinn Fein candidate.
The UUP members are expected to back the DUP candidate, Mr Eric Smyth, who was Lord Mayor during President Clinton's visit in 1995. The two parties are understood to have had an arrangement in place from the start of the year.
It is understood that Sinn Fein will nominate Mr Alex Maskey, but should Sinn Fein not receive the mayoralty, the party will seek the deputy position for a second year.
The SDLP will back Sinn Fein's candidate for mayor, although one South Belfast member is recovering from an operation and may not be able to attend. Alliance, with the exception of Mr Danny Dow who resigned from the party over the issue, is also expected to support a Sinn Fein candidate.
An Upper Falls councillor, Mr Michael Browne, said he believed the election of a Sinn Fein Lord Mayor was "a democratic imperative".
He said: "I believe people in this city want a future of inclusivity. I believe it is not just for unionists or anybody else to deny the largest party in the city the right to the position of mayor. I believe members have an opportunity on Thursday to demonstrate their acceptance of the democratic expression of the Belfast electorate."
